Turkey decoys some experinced help needed

[mi13]

I have not used decoys before and I would like some suggestions on the ones that work better than others. I am looking at the Peeping Tom set but I have read were the tom looks to aggressive to some and spooks them. All suggestions are welcome as I am new to the decoy game. Thanks mi13

[skin_dog1]

turkey decoys are like any other decoy, sometimes their deadly, sometimes they scare birds. I like using them anytime I hunt a field. The latest craze is the full strut toms. They are deadly often and really make a hunt exciting, but be aware that not every tom will come to them. Make sure to use a real turkey tail fan cause the silk ones suck and the paper ones are even worse. Brand doesn't matter, they all work well. I'm not familiar with the one you're talking about. The primos bmobile, the K&H pretty boy are the 2 most popular. Just know that any male decoy is apt to scare off a turkey that isn't looking for a fight.

[WaterDog88]

I too like using them in a feild or clearing. I cut the beard and use a jake fan on my b-mobil to make it look just a little less intimidating. Strut zones like loging roads and open ridges work too. I have also had luck mounting a jake over a hen. If a dominant bird sees that it might try to put the smack down.

[Willie]

This is what my son posted on my website forum a few months ago.....

If you hunt from a blind you have to get one of these. They are expensive but worth it.

Last year was the 1st year I used a mounted decoy. I had a gobbler run into the decoy but wouldn't "attack" it like I've seen on T.V. After I killed him I found out why. He had a big rip down his breast from a spur. He didn't want his butt kicked again.

The next time I used it a gobbler ran in and I had to shoot him off the decoy.

Dad ( me ) used it next on a seemingly dull morning with no activity. So while he was reading the paper and enjoying a cup of coffee and a Krispey Kreme he heard a "FLOP,FLOP". Three gobblers had came in silent and was beating up my decoy.

Picking out one of the three to shoot without shooting two or the decoy was tough, but one finally broke out of the pack a litttle and far enough away to shoot. By that time the decoy was laying on its side.

American Taxidermy in Boonville Indiana has both the jake and hen for sale. I think he is getting $375 each. Cally Morris in Missouri sells them for $515.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c174/woodmaster042162/turk053.jpg

[Iceman35]

Anymore, I just use a feeding hen Delta decoy. They look real and collapse and expand easy. I bought the three pair with the feeding hen, the alert hen, and the jake. I've had Toms hold up when spotting the jake and the alert hen, so I don't use them anymore. Had one 3 yr old bird strut right up to the jake and peck at its head before I shot it, but he was the exception to the rule. I found every other tom and jake to keep their distance from that jake decoy.

The feeding hen seems to work best for me as it seems to keep the turkeys at ease. Had to get another one since last year I had a two year old come around the back of her, looking like he wanted to mount her, so I filled both him and the deke with number 4.

[Xi Bowhunter]

All birds are different and will react differently to any given situation. Sometimes the decoys work, sometimes they don't. I hardly ever use them anymore.

[philipfleek]

Welcome....

[deadaim]

I have used so many decoys before that it looked like I had a goose spread out!!

I have good luck early in the season with B Mobile and three inflatable hens. I put them about ten yards out in front of my blind to the left of me (bow hunting) After the first couple of weeks I go to no decoys or just one hen as it seems the birds start to shy away from them. The exception to this was a couple of seasons ago I had a nice old bird that worked for me 4 times 4 different days but would not come any closer than 80 yards. I went for broke the last weekend of the season I PUT OUT ABOUT 15 DECOYS !!
I also was working a slate while using a mouth call I killed that bird that morning he is my biggest to date at 29 pounds........

[huntindawoods]

like said already some time decoys work, sometimes they don't. I have seen decoys bring a bird right to ya and I have seen decoys make birds shy away once in sight. Like said in the post above I do similar what he does, decoys seem to work great early especially in a field which is where I start out. Then by late season no decoys or a hen only. Good luck this season with your decoy selection, and welcome aboard.

[SixPack07]

Depends on how you hunt somewhat too. Some of the decoys don't fold up all that well if you want to run and gun. BMoblie is decent and I think that Peep N Tom and the Casanova are good for folding up. Pretty Boy is not. I'm not a huge fan of the King Strut, seems like he isn't going to be very durable. The FanTom is kind of neat with the fan that moves. We've sold the Dave Smith decoys well. Just has a hen right now, but it is the best looking decoy out there. Has a jake on the way that should be great too. Seen footage from more then one customer who has used it and had hens sleeping underneath it, jakes trying to mount it for an hour, finally giving up and laying down next to it without leaving a mark on her.

[hunt-4-life21]

i just got a b mobile last year and i believe that any dominate bird will come to it, if the bird isnt the dominate bird in the area he will run

[huntmadd]

I have had a lot of luck with hen only decoy set up or no decoys at all.I have a b-moble and a jake decoy but never had any luck yet .I will try again just for the the fun of it you never no. I have heard some grate storys with a full strut decoy or even a jake with a hen so i won't give up yet. Good luck Hope you have a good season.

[mi13]

Thanks for all the replies on the decoys. I am hoping to decide soon. My son and I have never tried this so it should be an experince. I really like this forum and am looking forward to being a part of it. I am looking at the two hens and a jake set right at the moment.

[Rod S.]

I field hunt so I use decoys. We've killed a lot of birds over full strutters & they are hard to beat with a DSD hen next to them. Yea it's overkill but it works.

[Kybirdman]

Have had more bad luck than good luck with decoys. I've seen toms run from a jake and hen set-up before. I've seen a group of jakes kick the crap out of a tom before and feel they will sometimes run from the bullies. They're sure to work under the right conditions, but leaving the tom guessing where the hens are, works best for me.

[Gobbler Getter]

One thing you have to consider especially on publiuc land is safety. Strutting decoys have become the rage but if you use one on public ground you need to look extra hard at your setup and where you place the decoy. A hunter hearing your calling can sneak in on your setup and shoot the strutting decoy and YOU if you are behind it. I use a full strut decoy on private ground but would never use one on public ground. I have had hunters walk through my decoy spread out of spite while I was working a gobbler. If you just want to experiment don't buy the most expensive thing out there, remember some of those things are designed to attract hunters more than they are to attract game.

[mi13]

Again thanks fellas. I recieved my decoys in the mail yesterday two hens and a jake. They are from Bass Pro Shop the RTX versions. I am really pleased the way they look.I went this route because of what was being said about the gobbler running off.If I decide to use all or just the hens I am set. I needed the help and advice. I 'll let you guys know how things turn out. Hoping to use them at FT. Campbell in March.I won't forget what Gobbler Getter said about the use on public land.